Ball Dispensing Mechanism for Arcade Games

ABSTRACT

A ball dispensing mechanism (5) for an arcade game which automatically dispenses balls (16) from a rotating turret (10) positioned centrally, between the player&#39;s legs. The rotation allows balls (16) to be dispensed for both left and right handed players.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Field of the Disclosure

This invention relates to a device for dispensing balls to a player for a ball based arcade game.

Ball based arcade games require balls to be supplied or returned to players such that multiple shots, bowls or puts can be undertaken as part of the game play.

Background

Many existing games supply balls to a single location, requiring them to be manually picked up and placed by the operator/player. Where the ball is delivered to the ground level, this requires the player to bend over for each ball placement. The requirement for manual positioning of the balls impairs the speed of the game and reduces the enjoyment and the opportunity for the game to providing multiple and repetitive shots, puts or plays. Where balls are automatically placed to one location it is difficult to facilitate both a left and right handed player stance. Where the nature of the game dictates a side-on stance, such as in golf or hockey and therefore uses an angled club or stick, there is a requirement to provide balls to either the left or right hand side of the player or play area.

Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient systems and methods for devices for dispensing balls to a player for a ball based arcade game, wherein players can engage balls from either a left or right handed stance from one single ball dispensing mechanism.

SUMMARY

This present invention facilitates both left and right handed players, or those who would prefer to choose the direction of stance for play. This invention facilitates players to engage balls from either a left or right handed stance from one single ball dispensing mechanism. This could be achieved by two separate ball dispensing mechanisms serving left and right hand side independently. This invention overcomes the need for two separate dispensing systems, allowing a single dispenser to serve both left and right handed stance players. The present invention allows a single ball dispensing mechanism (5) to be employed to dispense balls to either the left or right hand side of the player. The mechanism may be mounted centrally on the machine, residing in-play between the player's feet and legs. It can rotate, either via manual or powered action such that the outlet for the ball is facing to either left or right of the centre.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows the dispensing mechanism mounted on a golf putting based arcade machine, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows the mechanism rotated such that balls (16) are dispensed to the right hand side (B) of the play area allowing the player to stand astride the dispenser and play the balls with a right handed stance, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the mechanism mounted on a golf putting based arcade machine. It shows the centralised position of the ball dispensing mechanism (5) facilitating the rotation of the turret (10) to allow balls (16) to be dispensed to either the left (A) or right (B) side of the play area according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows the mechanism rotated such that balls (16) are dispensed to the left hand side (A) of the play area allowing the player to stand astride the dispenser and play the balls with a left handed stance according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 5 & 6 show a cross sectional view of the apparatus, which for convenience, shows the turret (10) and thus outlet (14) rotated to a central position rather than to its normal operating positions of either to the left (A) or right (B), according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 shown the delivery path (28) and the ball drive arrangement with the drive wheel (26), according to an embodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the dispensing mechanism mounted on a golf putting based arcade machine.

FIG. 2 shows the mechanism rotated such that balls (16) are dispensed to the right hand side (B) of the play area allowing the player to stand astride the dispenser and play the balls with a right handed stance.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the mechanism mounted on a golf putting based arcade machine. It shows the centralised position of the ball dispensing mechanism (5) facilitating the rotation of the turret (10) to allow balls (16) to be dispensed to either the left (A) or right (B) side of the play area.

FIG. 4 shows the mechanism rotated such that balls (16) are dispensed to the left hand side (A) of the play area allowing the player to stand astride the dispenser and play the balls with a left handed stance.

In FIG. 1 the turret (10) containing the dispensing mechanism extends through the playing surface (30) of the machine. The turret (10) is central in the player standing area. The ball (16) is dispensed above and onto the playing surface (30), the machines effective floor level, via an outlet (14). In this example, FIG. 1 shows a manually operated handle (12) on the top of the turret (10) enacting its rotation from left to right. In alternative embodiments the rotational movement of the turret (10) could be powered. The turret (10) contains a ball dispensing path (18) and outlet (14) which rotate with the handle (12) and turret (10). In this example, rotational stops (34) restrict the travel of the turret (10) such that it will not rotate beyond the ideal feed direction for both left or right handed feeds.

Balls (16) are automatically, mechanically fed to and through the turret (10) in accordance with the game function. The dispensing mechanism ensures balls (16) are presented in the perfect location to be played. There is no requirement for the player to handle the balls (16). By being mounted centrally in the playing surface (30) the turret (10) resides between the legs and feet of the player in either stance and causes no obstacle to either the stance or the resulting natural travel of the club/stick.

The invention allows left and right handed play to be achieved, at the user's discretion from a single ball feed/return mechanism.

FIGS. 5 & 6 show a cross sectional view of the apparatus, which for convenience, shows the turret (10) and thus outlet (14) rotated to a central position rather than to its normal operating positions of either to the left (A) or right (B).

The turret (10) is mounted extending through the playing surface (30). The turret (10) is mounted on 2 Polymer bearings (20) which allow it to rotate relative to the playing surface (30). Bearings (22) fixed to the turret (10) retain the position of the turret (10) in the polymer bearings (20). One bearing (22) has an extended bearing fixing shaft (34) which acts against 2 of the bearing spacers (32) providing a rotational stop to control and restrict the extent of the angle of rotation of the turret (10).

Balls (16) are supplied to the mechanism via a delivery path (28). The delivery path (28) is inclined such that the balls (16) travel under gravity. A motor driven drive wheel (26) provides a drive for the balls (16) to continue along and up the turret path (18) through the turret (10). The drive wheel (26) is stopped and controlled via an optical sensor (38) which senses balls (16) exiting the outlet (14). The delivery path (28) joins the turret path (18) via a simple rotational coupling (24), which allows the turret path (18) to rotate relative to the delivery (28) path whist retaining the queue of balls (16).

FIG. 7 shown the delivery path (28) and the ball drive arrangement with the drive wheel (26).

REFERENCES NUMBERS FOR DRAWINGS

-   -   5. Ball Dispensing Mechanism     -   10. Turret     -   12. Handle     -   14. Outlet/Hole     -   16. Ball(s)     -   18. Turret Path     -   20. Polymer Bearing     -   22. Bearing     -   24. Rotational coupling     -   26. Drive wheel     -   28. Delivery path     -   30. Playing Surface     -   32. Bearing spacer     -   34. Bearing fixing shaft     -   38. Optical sensor 

1. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) for an arcade game having: a. a receiving portion for receiving a ball to be dispensed; b. an outlet (14) for allowing a ball received to be dispensed from the mechanism (5), wherein c. said dispensing mechanism (5) is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis X and rotatable between a first position in which it dispenses a ball to a first side (A) and a second position in which it dispenses a ball to a second side (B) opposite to said first side.
 2. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 for an arcade game which automatically dispenses balls (16) from a rotating outlet (14) positioned centrally, between the player's legs allowing balls (16) to be dispensed for both left and right handed players.
 3. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which balls (16) are automatically dispensed
 4. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which the ball outlet (14) can rotate in order to deliver balls to either the left (A) or right (B) hand side of the mechanism.
 5. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 whereby the centrality of mounting allows it reside between a players feet and legs in a natural stance and cause no obstacle to the natural travel of the club/stick in either a left or right handed stance.
 6. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 which facilitates players to engage the dispensed balls (16) from either a left or right handed stance.
 7. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which an integrated handle (12) facilitates the manual rotation of the turret (10) and thus the direction of delivery of the balls (16) to the player.
 8. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which the rotation of the turret (10) and thus the direction of delivery of the balls (16) is actuated either manually or powered.
 9. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which balls (16) are supplied to a motor driven drive wheel along an inclined delivery path via gravity.
 10. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which balls (16) are driven via a drive wheel (26), to follow an upward path, via a simple rotational coupling (24) to a outlet (14) which is above the playing surface (30) and which can be rotated to alter the direction and thus position of delivery of the balls (16) to the player.
 10. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which balls (16) are driven via a drive wheel (26) and the drive wheel (26) is controlled via an optical sensor (38) which senses balls (16) exiting the outlet (14).
 11. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which the ball delivery turret (10) is mounted through the playing surface on 2 bearings (20) acting to both support the turret (10) and to facilitate its rotation.
 12. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which the ball delivery turret (10) is retained by bearings (22) fixed to the turret (10)
 13. A ball dispensing mechanism (5) according to claim 1 in which the extent of the angle of rotation of the turret (10) is controlled by an extended bearing fixing shaft (34) on one bearing (22) which acts against 2 of the bearing spacers (32) to provide a rotational stop. 